Filing drawer



July 19, 1938. F. A. scHw-rz' 2,124,511

FILING DRAWER Filed March 50, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 oooqooooooo AINVENTOR WM WM ATTORNEY5 July 19, 1938. F. A. SCVHMITZ FILING DRAWER Filed March 30, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR IIPEIILIFFFIIIIII am I Patented July 19, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FILING DRAWER Application March 30, 1935, Serial No. 13,822

8 Claims.

This invention relates to filing cabinets, particularly of the type including a tray incorporating a follower plate for packing filed articles in conveniently accessible position.

Many fiat or plate like objects such as phonograph records, photographs, art works, samples, etc., are dependent upon flatness for maximum utility or maximum appearance. These objects, particularly phonograph records of the type commonly used in radio broadcasting, curl or warp if stored for appreciable time under unsuitable conditions. Obviously, these objects or materials could be stacked in piles, and the weight of the pile would keep at least the lower members of the stock comparatively flat, but the articles would not be in accessible relation and isolation of any article, used at frequent or infrequent periods, would be difilcult.

Modern methods of business demand the retention of filed articles in locations and conditions facilitative to quick, clean and convenient identification and isolation,

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a cabinet or receptacle, in which objects and articles of the class described may be filed and stored with ease and convenience under conditions inhibitory to any change of the flatness of the article filed or stored.

Another object of this invention is to provide a drawer or receptacle in which articles of the class described may be retained on edge subject to evenly distributed pressure, which pressure may be either automatically or manually applied against said articles and is readily releasable to permit removal of articles.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a drawer or receptacle in which flat articles may be contained on edge includinga compression means of the character mentioned for plac- 40 ing pressure on the articles, which compression device maybe automatically operated by closing movement of the drawer in relation to the cabinet.

Other objects and advantages will be more 45 fully apparent from the description of the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a filing cabinet equipped or constructed according to this invention, the drawer thereof shown partially fragmentary and withdrawn.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken transversely of the drawer and of the cabinet carriage illustrating interior details of the filing cabinet.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken on line 3-3, Fig. 2, further disclosing the interior of the file cabinet or storage compartment.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 44, Fig. 2, detailing themechanism used for applying pressure to the stored objects.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken similar to Figure 3, but showing the mechanism used for' applying pressure to the stored objects being moved from released position to clamping position.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6, Fig. 2, detailing the drawer carriage construction.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken on line 1 l, Fig. 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8,

Fig. 6.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 99, Fig. 6. 1

Briefly, this invention resides in a drawer or receptacle In in which a follower plate II is disposed and adapted to confine the articles l2 stored against therear of said drawer or receptacle, and in which an adjustable means is provided for inching said follower plate rearwardly, whereby pressure may be exerted against the follower plate abutment. This invention also incorporates a device M for automatically insuring that the drawer contents are subjected to pressure at the time the drawer is closed after used, and includes an improved carriage construction l5 for slidably supporting said drawer.

Referring to the details of the drawings, a cabinet I6 is constructed of suitable dimensions to telescopically receive the drawer Ill. The draw ercomprises a front I1, sides l8-I8, back I9 and a bottom '20. The back IQ of the drawer is stilT- ened by the provision of marginal flanges 2| to provide a rigid abutment wall against which the articles may be pressed. The front may be of double thickness for increased strength. The bottom 20 of the drawer is preferably shaped to include a central, longitudinal depression 22 serving as a guideway. On each side of the drawer are secured suspension rails 23, these rails adapted to cooperate with the carriage mechanism, hereinafter discussed, to provide easy drawer withdrawal. The sides |8I8 of the drawer are preferably made narrower in width than the height of the drawer front and back to provide clearance for accessibility to the drawer contents. On the upper edge of each drawer side, an inwardly facing follower plate guide channel 24 is secured.

The flat follower plate H is transversely disposed within the drawer for adjustment longitudinally thereof. Alignment or guide elements 2525 are rigidly attached to the follower plate I I and respectively extend outwardly into sliding engagement in the channels 24-44 of the drawer sides to sustain the plate The follower plate is stiffened by vertical channels 26. The space between the follower plate I and the drawer back I9 for any given position of the follower plate, constitutes a storage compartment wherein objects of the class described may be stored.

A compressing device 21 is transversely mounted in the drawer forwardly of the follower plate EI and is adjustable longitudinally of the drawer and fixable as to position with respect to any given location of said follower plate. This mem-' ber includes a rock shaft 29 having a plurality of fixedly mounted pressure cams 29 longitudinally spaced thereon, one for contact with each stiffener channel 29, when the elements are in suitable relation. The channels 26 may additionally be strengthened at the area where the pressure cams contact the channels by auxiliary channels 39 nested within the channels respectively. The rock shaft 28 carries a' depressible operating lever 3| centrally thereof. When the compressing device 21 has been adjusted longitudinally to a suitable spacing from the follower plate channels and locked in this position, the operating lever 3| is depressed and the'rock shaft 28 is rotated, the cams 29 rotating to the extended position and applying pressure to urge thefollower plate rearwardly to compress the stored objects generally indicated by dot and dash lines (see Figure 3) against the back of the drawer.

The rockshaft 28 may be mounted within the drawer so as to be adjustable and lockable in the adjusted position by any suitable arrangement. The drawings disclose the rock shaft mounted in a U-shaped frame, generally indicated at 32. The arms of this frame extend vertically to the level of the drawer sides and carry atrtheir respective upper extremities on each side, tail pieces 33 slidably engaged along and within the channels 24. Secured'to the bottom of frame 32 is a guide piece 34, disposed thereon for slidable' engagement within the guideway 22 of the drawer bottom 20.

The frame 32 is rigidified by a cross piece 35. Slidably mounted on the cross piece 35 are detent pins 36-36. Eachpin has its outer end extending through a ,bore in an adjacent arm 31 of the U-shaped frame to engage a selected one of the bores 38 of a row arranged longitudinally in the, particular side |8 of the drawer ID. The inner end of each detent pin 36 is bent to extend forwardly of the cross piece. to constitute a finger hold, the finger holds for the respective detents being adjacently disposed, whereby they .may be conveniently grasped in one hand and pressed together for simultaneous release of the detents. r v

This action withdraws the pins from the holes for permitting adjustment of the position of the cams 29 longitudinally of the drawer in relation to the follower plate. Each detent pin is urged outwardly toward the locating holes by means of a spring 39, and is slidably retained on the cross, piece 35 by means of spaced bracket clips 49. Outward spring urged movement of each detent is limited by means of the abutment of a right angle portion 4| of the pin with the side arm of the U-shaped frame. A bearing element 42 further supports each active detent end.

The tail pieces 3333 and theguide piece 34 cooperate to slidably sustain the frame 32 in directly transverse position always at right angles to the sides of the drawer. Thus the cams are always uniformly spaced from the follower plate and the arrangement precludes the possibility of pressure being applied to one side of the follower plate and not the other or unequally.

The drawer I9 may be withdrawn from or telescoped entirely into the cabinet I6 at random. If the drawer is closed and the operator has neglected to operate the cams for compressing the articles filed behind the follower plate, curling or. warpage of the filed objects will occur. To overcome this possibility, the automatically operated cam setting means I4 is provided.

A trip lever .43 is rigidly secured to the rock shaft 28 adjacent one drawer side I8. This trip lever includes an extended portion 44 overhanging the adjacent guide channel 24 for abuttin the same to limit compressive rotation of the rock shaft 28 to fully effective position when the cams 29 are in the rearwardly extended posi-' tion.

The cabinet I6 carries, at the corresponding side, a rail 45, the forward end of which is inclined upwardly to constitute a cam portion 46. This rail is secured on the inner wall of the cabinet at a suitable location above the plane of the trip lever, so that the trip lever, when depressed as when the cams are set, rides under'the 430 7 same as the drawer is telescopically closed.

If the rock shaft is accidentally left in position with the cams released, or in the position when the cams are inoperative to exert pressure, then, upon closure of the drawer, the lever 43 is deflected downwardly upon engagement with the cam portion 46 of the guide strip until closure of the cams occurs. The remainder of the guide strip sustains the trip lever against possibility of release after the drawer is closed.

In using the filing cabinet, the fiat objects are stored on edge between the back of the drawer and the follower plate. If objects such as phonograph records are to be stored, the relative position of the records with respect to the drawer will be as generally indicated by the dot and dash line disclosed in Figure 2. Upon location'of the objects in the compartment, the follower plate II is moved backwardly against the ob- I jects. The compressing device 2'Iv is then adjusted to be in position for the application of pressure through the cams 29 to the follower plate and is locked in position by means of the detent pins 36, with the operating lever 3| of the cam rock shaft in the released or up position. The operating lever 3| is then depressed, the cams contact the follower plate to urge the plate rearwardly, and pressure is thus uniformly exerted against the contents of the drawer.

I When any particular object is to be removed, the drawer is opened, the operating lever 3| is released and the filed contents are accessible. Should the user forget to manipulate the operating lever, the triplever will be depressed by deflection against the cam portionof the rail 45 as the drawer is being closed, thus eliminating the possibility of leaving the contents in unrestricted condition. I

When the cam-operating lever 3Iis in the raised position, the frame carrying the rock shaft 28 and the cams 29 may be moved rearwardly, after withdrawal of the detents 36, until the nor mally top portions of the cams 29 abut the stifiner channels 26, in which position the frame is spaced properly from the follower plate so that when the operating lever 3| is depressed to rotate the cams to extended position. the desired pressure is applied to the drawer contents through rearward movement; of the follower plate H.

Referring to thedrawer carriage construction, a pair of guide channels 59-59 are superimposed in fixed horizontal position against each side wall of the cabinet I6 with the contacting flanges of each paircooperating to form an intermediate web 5|. A carriage or extension slide 52 is mounted for movement on said channels 50-50. The carriage comprises formed side rails or channels 53.facing each other, one for each side, each of which has a channel portion 54 formed intermediate of its edge flanges 5555 and facing outwardly, and connector rails 56 joining the channels, whereby the whole constitutes a rigid carriage assembly. This carriage 52 is fitted loosely between and on the pair of guide channels 56 and has a rolling engagement therewith through sets of rollers and wheels, hereinafter described.

A wheel 51 is mounted at each side at the lower forward end of the carriage 52 with the axles of the wheels rigidly annexed to the respective channels 53. The lower flange of the channel is notched to provide clearance through which the wheels 5|-5'| protrude for rolling contact on the lower flange of the lower fixed guide channel 50.

Above the wheels 51 and in the same relative location with respect to the side channels mounted in similar manner, but within the channel portions 54 are provided wheels 58-58 having rolling engagement on the intermediate flange 5| of the fixed guide channels 5|l5|l.

At the upper rear corner of each side rail 53 of the carriage a wheel 59 is similarly mounted to extend through a notch in the upper flange of the si-de'rail 53 for rolling contact with the underside of the upper flange of the particular fixed guide channel 50.

Below the wheels 59, mounted in a similar manner, wheels 69 are provided for rolling engagement with the under portion of the intermediate flange or web 5| of the fixed guide channels 5!].

Intermediate of the length of the carriage,

projecting through suitable clearance openings in the lower flange portion of each side rail of the carriage, loosely mounted rollers 6|, 62 and 63 are provided. These rollers 6|, 62 and 63 are retained in position against displacement by means of pins 64, each fixed rigidly between a bracket 65 and the wall of the rail, and serving to limit longitudinal shifting of each roller along the rails or guides as permitted by the clearance between the roller axial bore and the pins. It is preferable that the roller 63 be mounted near the mid portion of the drawer extension channel. Above the roller 63 and spaced therefrom to accommodate passage of the particular drawer rail 23 and mounted on an axle fixed to the carriage side rail, is provided a wheel 61.

The rollers 6|, 62 and 63, spaced as they are from the central portion of the carriage rearwardly provide well distributed rolling support for the drawer at the rear end thereof where the weight is greatest. Directly above the roller 63 and wheel 61, and at each side of the carriage, a loosely mounted roller 68 is provided within the intermediate formed channel portion 54 of the carriage side rail for rolling engagement on the intermediate web 5| of the fixed guide chan- Therefore, normally the lower drawer sustain- 7 ing rails 23 rest on the rollers BI, 62 and 63 and the forward wheels 51. The upper drawer sustaining rails 23 rest on the rollers 68 and the.

upper forward wheel'58. Tiltingof the drawer, withdrawn or partially withdrawn from the casing, is prevented by contact of the wheels 59 and E6 on each side rail of the carriage against the undersides of the upper flange and the intermediate web or flange 5| of the associated fixed guide channels 5956. The upper wheels 6! and 69 are mounted with respect to the rollers 63 and 68 to confine the drawer sustaining rails '23 within the guideways or track positions described.

Since the rollers 6|, 62, 63 and 68 carry the greater load portion of the drawer, these elemerits, instead of being mounted in the usual ure 8), extending through clearances axially formed through the rollers, whereby the entire load is carried on the roller periphery and the only frictional resistances are those resulting from contact of the rollers against the studs 64 in causing the carriage to move forwardly or rearwardly, which resistance is proportionate to the amount of contact with the axles which are made as small in diameter as possible.

Drawers of the type described are subjected to 4 substantially greater weights thandrawers ordinarily used for filing purposes because of the probable weight and size of the articles stored therein. Structural limitations and space limitations prevent the accommodation of these greater loads. It has been found disadvantageous to increase the size of the load bearing elements of the usual drawer extension devices because too much space would be devoted to the drawer with- 'drawa1 mechanism if the rollers were made wider and relative movement of the" drawer extension channel'with respect to the'drawer'its'elfwould be too great if the rollers were made larger'in diameter. The construction described satisfies space limitations and has been found admirably suitable for the heavy loads and severe service conditions incident to the filing of objects of the class described.

As the drawer H] is partially withdrawn from the cabinet l6, although the wheels 51 and 58 leave the fixed guide channel tracks, the entire load of the drawer is supported on these wheels and on rollers 6|, 62, 63 and 68. The wheels 61 and 69 are mounted above the rollers 63 and 68 to prevent tipping of the drawer on the forward wheels 51 and 58 as the drawer is withdrawn. When the drawer is partially opened and weight is applied to the forward end of the drawer, the rear wheels 59 and 66 prevent canting thereof by contact against the fixed guide channel upper and intermediate web undersides.

As is well understood in the art, the carriage moves out at'half the speed of the drawer. To prevent complete removal of the drawer in the usual course of operation an abutment or stop element is mounted on the underside of the drawer (see Figure 3) and is adapted to abut the forward cross or connector rail 56 of the carriage, it being understood that this connector rail has moved forward to the front of the cabinet when the drawer is fully opened. The carriage is limited in its forward movement by engagement of stops 12 thereof (see rear of Figure 6) with stationary stops l3 fixed on the floor of the cabinet.. a

, Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A filing device, comprisinga drawer, a follower plate adjustably mounted in said drawer for movement toward and from the rear wall of the drawer, and a compressing device adjustably fixed in said drawer and movable freely and independently of the follower plate, said compressing device including pressure elements effective against the follower plate for compressing articles stored between said follower plate and the rear Wall of the drawer.

2. A filing device, comprising, a drawer, a follower plate in said drawer adapted to be moved against fiat articles stored in the space between the follower plate and the back wall of the drawer, and a compressing unit adjustable in said drawer to position adjacent to saidfollower plate, said unit including cam elements engageable and lockable in position against the follower plate gageable with the walls of the drawer, and manually operated cam elements engageable with said follower plate for pressing the same rearwardly against the articles stored between the same and the rear of the drawer.

4. In combination; a filing cabinet, a drawer telescopically mounted therein, a follower plate in said drawer, a pressure. applying device adjustably mounted in said drawer and including means for fixing the device in position, and elements engageable against the follower plate for applying pressure thereto and against articles stored between the same and the back wall of the drawer, and cooperating elements on the cabinet and drawer respectively for automatically operating said elements as the drawer is closed.

5. In a storage cabinet adapted for use in the storage of fiat,'warpable objects, adrawer mounted within said cabinet, a follower plate transversely disposed within said drawer, and a rotatable cross member transversely disposed within and longitudinally adjustable within said drawer, said cross member carrying a' cam whereby upon rotation of said cross member said cam exerts pressure against said follower plate, whereby the contents ofsaid drawer may be retained* under conditions adapted to prevent warpage.

6. In a device of the class describedfor usein a cabinet, a drawer mounted for telescoping movement Within said cabinet, a follower plate within said drawer and adjustable longitudinally of said drawer Whereby fiat objects stored on edge between said follower plate and said drawer back may be subjected to pressure, and means for applying pressure to said follower plate, comrising, a rod, adjustable to a predetermin'edrelation with respect to said follower plate, transversely disposed Within said drawer midway of said follower plate, cams on said rod, and means for rotating said rod whereby said cams exert pressure against said'follower plate when the cams are in extended position.

7. A device of the class described, comprising, a receptacle having a back, sides, a bottom and front, a plate substantially parallel to said'receptacle back and adjustable with respect thereto, and means for exerting pressure against said plate, comprising, a plurality of cams rotatable about an axis and fixable at a predetermined position with respect to said receptacle-for any given plate position, said cams adapted 'upon rotation when in said predetermined position t exert pressure against said plate.

8. A device of the class described, comprising,

agreceptacle wherein fiat objects may be stored 

